Barriers to participation in regular exercise and ways to overcome barriers

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  • Created by: livvvd26
  • Created on: 18-05-18 09:31

Keywords

Physical activity: an activity that increases energy expenditure above resting level

Exercise: physical activity that is structured and undertaken usually for fitness gains

Barrier to exercise: a factor which makes it less likely that a person will undertake exercise

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Cost

Cost involved in sport and exercise activites can include:

  • buying suitable clothing,footwear and equipment
  • transport to activity
  • entry/membership fees

Why is this a problem?

  • Some more 'engaging/enticing' sport can be expensive e.g. wall climbing
  • Some gyms are expensive or charge a joining fee
  • Some gyms tie people into a contract for up to 12 months
  • Difficult for low income families/those with limited disposable income
  • Can de-motivate people
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How can the barrier of cost be overcome?

How can the barrier of cost be overcome?

  • Some sports are free e.g. jogging or walking and only cost will be intial purchase of fitness clothing
  • Fitness DVDs can be done at home
  • Local Authority sports facilities are cheaper than commercial gyms, and usually no joining fee, and often pay per session
  • Costs can be shared if commencing exercise with someone else - reduction on membership rates/transport costs (and helps to motivate people)
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Skill and/or Fitness Level

Why is this a problem?

Fitness Level

  • People with poor fitness level often have poor body image
  • Exercise often requires exposing body e.g. shorts/swimming costume and can be embarrassed about exciess body fat
  • Older people can find other people are younger and fitter
  • People with some medical conditions avoid exercising due to anxiety or discomfort e.g. angina sufferers

Skill Level

  • Less rewarding for those skills as activities and tasks will be less varied - bordeom
  • More likely to lose in competitive games
  • Embarrassment e.g. always dropping the ball (negative experiences often start at school)
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How can the barrier of skill/fitness level be over

How can this barrier be overcome?

Fitness Level

  • Use beginner classes as will be with like-minded people and sessions will be aimed at supporting those who are unfit
  • Start with small, light, regular exercise and increase in intensity and frequency
  • Exercise with a friend for moral support

Skill Level

  • Choose activities carefully - ones which do not involve competition
  • Activities like walking  or beginners aerobics will help fitness and skill level (coordination)
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Cultural Attitudes

This encompasses a negative view towrads exercise for a number of reasons

Why is this a problem?

People believe:

  • they will not enjoy it
  • it is a waste of money and time
  • friends or family will not approve of it
  • they dont know anyone else who takes exercise

These views come from social infuence, our peers, cultural approaches towards exercise (this includes religious observance, beliefs and dress) and our environment.

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How can the barrier of cultural attitudes be overc

How can this barrier be overcome?

  • Changes of social environment e.g. young people going to university or people starting work where people have a wider range of attitudes
  • Separate gym classes for those that are embarrassed or require it due to religious reasons
  • Exercise in the privacy of your own home 
  • Join exercise classes with peers
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Work and Family Commitments

Why are these problems?

  • Work commitments generally increase as people age and juggling work/home life can be difficult. Exercise is the first thing to go
  • Childcare arrangements in the evening are difficult and if people work in the day exercise may not be possible
  • Some exercise interests may require travelling e.g. hill walking and not always possible with a young family
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How can the barrier of work/family commitments be

How can the barrier be overcome?

  • Find an alternative exercise that can be done locally or from home e.g. fitness DVD 
  • Some gyms have family membership/facilities
  • Find activities that can be done with the family e.g. walking or cycling
  • Exercise with work colleagues during lunch breaks
  • Use exercise as your mode of transport getting to and from work
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Facility Location and Environment

Why are these problems?

  • People who live a long way away from amenities can have difficulty getting to facilities
  • Good sporting facilities are usually located in cities or large towns
  • Many facilities are now being closed down due to government cut-backs e.g. swimming pools
  • People who like doing outdoor activities such as canoeing or sailing can struggle to do these if they live in urban areas
  • High crime rate areas can restrict people from accessing 'free' exercise like running to the street
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How can the barrier of facility locations and envi

How can these be overcome?

  • Exercise within the confines of your home e.g. fitness DVD/resistance training
  • Housework can be 'physical activity'
  • Walk locally as access to exercise 
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